Pornography

. Ed(s): Lehman, Peter

ISBN 10: 0813538718 / ISBN 13: 9780813538716

Published by Rutgers University Press, 2006

About this Item

Brings critical insights to the reality of porn and what it can tell us about ourselves sexually, culturally, and economically. Divided into two sections, this book covers important debates on the topic and traces the evolution of pornographic film, including comparing its development to that of Hollywood cinema. Editor(s): Lehman, Peter. Series: Depth of Field Series. Num Pages: 286 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: APFA; JFCA; JFMP. Category: (G) General (US: Trade); (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 253 x 179 x 16. Weight in Grams: 518. . . . . . . Books ship from the US and Ireland.

Seller Inventory # V9780813538716

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Pornography
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813538718
• ISBN 13: 9780813538716
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Porn is big business. By some estimates, it grosses more revenue per year than the entire "legitimate" film and entertainment industry. Most large hotel chains offer pay-for-view adult movies, many video stores have adult movie rental sections, and Internet porn sites have proliferated by the thousands. With porn so ubiquitous in mainstream American culture, why is it that when "respectable" people talk about this phenomenon, they act puzzled, as if they cannot imagine who would watch such worthless and meaningless smut?

In this collection of path-breaking essays, thirteen respected scholars bring critical insights to the reality of porn and what it can tell us about ourselves sexually, culturally, and economically. Moving beyond simplistic feminist and religious positions that cast these films as categorical evils-a collective preserve of sexual perversion, misogyny, pedophilia, and racism-the contributors to this volume raise the bar of the debate and push porn studies into intriguing new territory.

The essays are divided into two sections. The first reprints important debates on the topic and traces the evolution of pornographic film, including comparing its development to that of Hollywood cinema. The second part presents new essays that consider current trends in the field, including pornography's expansion into new technologies.

This book separates this compelling genre from the sensation and shame that have long surrounded and obscured it. It will be of interest to general readers and film scholars alike.

About the Author

Peter Lehman is the director of the Film and Media Studies Program and the Center for Film and Media Research at Arizona State University, Tempe. He is author, coauthor, and editor of twelve books including, Roy Orbison: The Invention of an Alternative Rock Masculinity.